MBARARA – High court in Mbarara presided over by the resident judge justice Joyce Kavuma has on August 22, ordered for filing of written submissions into a case in which a Daily Monitor journalist, Mr Rumanzi Perez accuses police officers of assault on duty demanding for dismissal, compensation and personal liability for the act.
Mr Rumanzi through his lawyers Bwagi and Co advocates under the Human Rights Network (HRN) for journalists Uganda filled a miscellaneous application at Mbarara high court following an incident on April 28, 2016 where he alleges he was beaten by the two officers while covering an incident involving arrest of former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye at Ntungamo police station.
Court on Thursday morning ordered for scheduling of the submissions including evidence into the case that shall begin with the applicants on October 10 and later a reply by the respondents on November 12 followed by a rejoinder to the applications on November 26 after which there will be a ruling on the matter.
Justice Kavuma scheduled the case despite opposition from the respondent counsel Byarugaba Peter through other lawyers since he who was not present in court together with the respondents. He said staying the application for long may have more implications.
Counsel to the applicant Bwagi Jonathan applied for scheduling of the case sighting long period of stay which was granted by court.
In the application, Rumanzi who is also the president of the LIONS club of Ntungamo accuses former Kabale district police commander Mr Bindeba Dickens and former Kigezi regional police operations commander Mr Asiimwe Abraham Bravo for assaulting him while on his official duty, damaging his camera and stealing his memory cards in the phone and camera lowering his public reputation.
He seeks that court declares the two and others in the case personal liable for the incident, that on losing be declared incompetent to hold nay public office and be dismissed in police in public interest, and wants to be compensated for damages.
Speaking shortly after the court session, Mr Bwagi said the scheduling for written submission is a great stage fro hearing of the case as this if the only requirement in such miscellaneous application and evidence given in that stage makes the case a win or a loss.
“We are happy that the judge has found it prudent to have the case scheduled for this submission, this is a great achievement in such an application as it is almost the only requirement in this. We hope this will take this short time and the case shall be concluded.” He said.
The case has FDC national mobilization secretary Ms Ingrid Turinawe, Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Mugume Kaginda, Kampala Lord Mayor Mr Elias Lukwago and Former Presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye as witnesses.
